1 Most Political parties seem to have a plan to get disabled people off employment related disability benefits like incapacity benefit, without tackling the problem that employers are reluctant to employ disabled people – How will you address this? If disabled people are compelled to seek work, what will be done to compel employers to employ some disabled people?
I agree that employers are reluctant to employ disabled people many using an excuse that there was not an appropriate person available. The quota system has failed but far less in the public sector. Politicians must first use there influence to ensure all public institutions keep to or exceed the present quotas and private companies need to be persuaded on an individual basis with their MDs. We want something that will work not circumvented as is the present situation.
2 Do you think Care should be paid for by all of us – like the health services, prisons, the armed forces etc - or just by the people that need it – what are your plans for care?
Quite agree to be paid for out of general taxation.
3 The Disability Discrimination Act has been with us for decades yet buildings are still built in Wolverhampton and elsewhere that treat disabled people as second class citizens who need to use the back entrance or secondary facilities. Also people with Assistance Dogs are often asked not to come into a venue with their dog. What do you believe must be done to ensure that disabled access is central to all building projects and service provision?
Bilston Leisure Centre is a classic case of this happening. You will recall it was myself that gave you help and advice on how to get the necessary changes. We must all keep on top of all designs to ensure the Act is adhered to. Planning Authorities need to be sent updated planning guidance and all Chairs of planning committees to be thoroughly briefed on this issue.
4 Disabled people tend to have poorer health, less access to exercise facilities and less access to dietary and fitness information that takes account of their impairments. Many disabled people have argued for the restoration of free swimming or gym passes, what do you think can be done to address disabled people’s unequal access to health and fitness information and facilities?
I agree with the free access to health and fitness facilities but the financial provider should be the PCT not the Local Council.
5 Disabled people are increasingly the victims of hate crime and bullying, but responses from authorities (police, social services, housing providers, schools etc) to incidences of bullying or harassment are patchy and can range from telling a person to stay in their home, to addressing the problem, to doing nothing. What can be done to ensure a more even and supportive approach to this?
Unfortunately, the incidents of anti-social behaviour impact on all sections of society. The police, as I believe they are beginning to accept, must put anti-social behaviour at the top of their list with regards to Community Policing. They must listen to Social Services, Age Concern and organisations like yourselves to gather vital information to use in the fight against these sorts of crime.
6 How well do you think bringing most disabled children into mainstream education has worked, and what more needs to be done?
As a retired teacher I can say that it has worked generally very well; however, some schools are not equipped or designed to have such pupils and capital; funding should follow each child to enable them to access the same as an able bodied child.
7 Do you think that people who by reason of disability are unable to end their lives, should have the right to chose to have someone to help them with this?
I am not a believer in assisted suicides.
8 BSL was recognised as an official language on 18th March 2003, but it still does not have any legal protection, so Deaf Sign Language users do not have full access to vital information and services, including education, health and employment.. Does your party advocate this view and why?
I am far from being an expert on this but if any language be it signed or oral is officially recognised then it should be given equal rights with any other language.
9 What can your party do to help more disabled people to become MPs?
By encouraging more disabled persons to join and get involved with us. Our Constitution is explicit in condemning any unfavourable treatment on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, religious persuasion or disability.
10 In Wolverhampton it can take up to 2 years to have an adaptation to your house, yet a report from the Office of Disability Issues, states that there are massive savings to the health service in making these preventative measures available much sooner. What do you think?
Quite agree but the Capital funding must be provided. Perhaps the scraping of the planned ID cards could pay for this and many other worthy projects.